Profiled element and method for producing a profiled element

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a profiled element, in particular a profiled construction element, for example a profiled dry construction, façade, or plaster element, comprising an in particular metal elongated main body, in which at least one opening is formed. The opening has at least one edge formed transversely to the longitudinal extension of the main body, which edge is formed at least partially by a bent-over section of the main body. The bent-over section, together with an adjacent section of the main body, forms an at least double-layer area of the main body. In order to increase the stiffness of the profiled element transversely to the longitudinal extension thereof, the bent-over section is connected to the adjacent section within the at least double-layer area. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a profiled element.

The present invention relates to a section element, in particular to astructural section, for example a dry construction section, a facadesection, a plaster section, a screed section or a tile section, havingan elongated base body, in particular comprising metal or plastic, inwhich at least one opening is formed. The invention is furthermoredirected to a method of manufacturing such a section element.

Section elements of this kind are known, for example, from WO2004/055289 A1 and can in particular be used as C-shaped uprightsections for dry construction. The elongated base body is provided witha predefined cutting pattern, for example, for manufacturing the sectionelements. On the selection of suitable cutting patterns, twolongitudinal portions of the section element which extend in parallelcan in particular be drawn apart in a folding process, whereby awidening of the section element takes place without additional materialinput. The drawn apart longitudinal sections are in this respectconnected to one another via connection elements formed integrally withthe longitudinal portions. Corresponding cutting patterns are describedin WO 2004/055289 A1 whose content, in particular relating to thecutting patterns described in this document, is herewith explicitlyincluded in the disclosure content of the present application.

A further possibility of producing widened section elements is describedin WO 2007/101594 A1. In this document, a section element is inter aliadescribed which is not produced by a folding process, but rather by apurely widening process, in which slits introduced into the section arewidened by drawing up to diamond-shaped openings. Such a section elementcan also in particular be used for manufacturing upright sections. Thecontent of this document, in particular relating to the cutting patternsdescribed in this document, is also herewith explicitly included in thedisclosure content of the present application.

Corresponding section elements can furthermore also be manufacturedwithout a widening procedure or folding procedure so that the base body,as is, for example, usual with normal upright sections, has anon-elongated, substantially closed design. Openings of the initiallynamed kind can be introduced into such a base body, for example by apunching process. It is disadvantageous in this that the punched outmaterial forms waste, whereby the manufacturing costs for such sectionelements are increased.

It is generally often desirable with section elements of the initiallynamed kind, and in particular with upright sections, that leadthroughopenings are provided through which, for example, cables, lines or otherelongated band-like or cord-like elements as well as pipes or otherhollow bodies can be led. Independently of whether such leadthroughopenings are produced by punching out corresponding holes in the basebody, by the described folding process or by drawing apart, there is theproblem that the section element has a reduced stiffness in the regionof the produced opening, in particular in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal extent of the section element.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a section element ofthe initially named kind in which the stiffness in the region of theopening is increased with respect to conventional section elements.

Starting from a section element of the initially named kind, this objectis satisfied in accordance with the invention in that the openingincludes at least one edge which is formed transversely to thelongitudinal extent of the base body and which is formed at least partlyby a bent over portion of the base body; in that the bent-over portionforms an at least double-layer region of the base body together with anadjacent portion of the base body; and in that the bent-over portion isconnected to the adjacent portion within the at least double-layerregion to increase the stiffness of the section element transversely toits longitudinal extent.

A method designed in accordance with the invention of manufacturing sucha section element is characterized in that slits are introduced into thebase body for folding out a portion of the base body; in that theportion is folded out and bent over for forming an opening in the basebody, along a kink line extending transversely to the longitudinalextent of the base body and connecting the slits, until the bent overportion forms an at least double-layer region of the base body togetherwith an adjacent portion of the base body; and in that the bent overportion is connected to the adjacent portion within the at leastdouble-layer region to increase the stiffness of the section elementtransversely to its longitudinal extent.

In accordance with the invention, the reduced stiffness caused by theopening is compensated in that an at least double-layer region isproduced directly in the region of an edge of the opening extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the section element andthe individual layers of this region are connected to one another sothat no displacement of the two layers toward one another is possible.At least one of the layers is produced by a material portion which formsat least one region of the opening by folding out of the base body. Itis thereby achieved, on the one hand, that the material used for formingthe opening is not wasted, but is rather used for stiffening the basebody. On the other hand, it is automatically ensured by folding out theportion from the opening that the stiffening effect is present directlyin the region of the opening, i.e. in the region of the weak pointproduced by the opening. In this respect, the term “transverse” is to beunderstood as any direction which does not extend only in thelongitudinal direction of the section element. The transverselyextending edge can in particular be formed as a straight line or curvedas long as it extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of thesection element at least in a part region.

Furthermore, no supply of a separate part to increase the stiffness isrequired due to the integral connection of the portion folded out of thebase body. The manufacture of the stiffening region is possible in anonline process, even at very high speeds such as much higher than 100m/min, due to the integral connection of the bent over portion to thebase body.

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the edgeextends at least regionally substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal extent of the base body. A uniform support edge for linesto be led through the opening or the like is thereby provided. At thesame time, the double layered region also extends perpendicular to thelongitudinal extent of the base body so that the increased stiffness isalso achieved in an ideal fashion in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal extent of the base body.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, thebent over portion is connected to the adjacent portion by a pressurejoining process such as clinching or crimping, by clamping, squeezing,pressing, welding, screwing, bonding or riveting. The firmer theconnection between the bent over portion and the adjacent portion of thebase body, the greater the stiffness of the section. In particular ashear movement between the layers of the multilayer region should beprevented using the selected connection process so that, for example, anarching of the section element is prevented.

The edge is advantageously formed over its total length by the bent overportion. This can be the case, for example, when the base body is notdivided into two spaced apart longitudinal portions by drawing apart orby the initially described folding process, but rather substantiallyforms a closed surface. In this case, after introduction ofcorresponding slits into the base body, a portion defined by these slitscan be bent out of the base body, wherein the edge arising on thebending over of this portion automatically extends over the total lengthof the opening thereby arising. Since the edge is in this case formed asa kink edge over its total length, it is ensured that the edge is notformed as a sharp edge, but rather has a certain roundness. It isthereby achieved that lines led through the opening can lie on the edgewithout there being any risk of damage to the lines.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, afirst part of the edge is formed by the bent over portion. A second partof the edge, which is formed by a non-bent over portion of the basebody, advantageously adjoins the first part of the edge. In thisrespect, the non-bent over portion can in particular form at least apart of the adjacent portion of the base body. The first part of theedge can preferably be formed by a single-layer bent over portion whichis adjoined by at least one second part of the edge which is formed by adouble-layer bent over portion of the base body.

This design is in particular sensible when the base body is divided intotwo longitudinal portions which are drawn apart by the initiallydescribed folding process. The openings already arising due to thefolding process can additionally be enlarged by correspondingly bentover portions, whereby parts of the edge merging into one another areformed both by the bent over portions of the first longitudinal portionof the base body, for example, and by non-bent over portions of thesecond longitudinal portion. The bent over portion can in this case forma double-layer region both with the first longitudinal portion and withthe second longitudinal portion, wherein the connection of the bent overportion to the respective adjacent portions can be established both inone of these double-layer regions and in both double-layer regions toachieve an increased stiffness.

In this embodiment, the base body advantageously includes two mutuallyspaced apart longitudinal portions which extend parallel to one anotherand are connected to one another at a plurality of connection points viaconnection elements formed in one piece with the longitudinal portionsand in each case bridging the spacing between the longitudinal portions,wherein the opening extends from one of the longitudinal portions beyondthe spacing to the other longitudinal portion and the bent over portionforms a region of the edge bridging the spacing between the longitudinalportions.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention,the opening includes at least two correspondingly formed edges inparticular disposed opposite one another. The desired improved stiffnessis thereby achieved at both oppositely disposed sides of the opening andthus an even higher stiffness of the section element in the region ofthe opening overall.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, thesection element is formed as a C section, a U section, an L section, a Tsection, H sections, a hat section or a Z section. The section elementin accordance with the invention can generally also be used for othersuitable section types.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention,the edge is at least regionally engaged over and in particularencompassed by a cover element. This is in particular sensible with asharp-edged design of the edge since in this case lines led through theopening do not lie on the edge formed with a sharp edge, but rather onthe cover element engaging around it. It is thereby ensured that nodamage can occur to the elements led through the opening. The coverelements can in this respect not only engage around the support edge,but advantageously also be formed so that the total peripheral edge ofthe opening is engaged over and in particular encompassed.

The edge can advantageously be provided at least regionally with a bend,in particular a flange. This can in particular take place as analternative; generally, also however, in addition to the described coverelement. It is also achieved by a bend that the support for lines ledthrough the opening is made rounded despite any formation of the edge asa sharp edge. Damage to the elements led through the opening is therebyin turn avoided.

Whereas the opening can, as already described, advantageously be formedas a leadthrough opening, in particular for electrical lines, it isgenerally also possible that the opening satisfies a function differentfrom this. The opening can in particular, for example, also be used asan air passage opening or as a passage opening for other materials suchas insulating materials. A stiffening of the section element is alsoachieved by the design in accordance with the invention in this case.

A plurality of openings are advantageously provided which are inparticular arranged distributed in the longitudinal direction of thebase body. The openings can in this respect in particular be present atregular intervals. The flexible use of a section element designed Inaccordance with the invention for the leading through of lines, cablesor the like is further increased by the arrangement of a plurality ofopenings.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in thedependent claims.

The invention will be described in more detail in the following withreference to embodiments and to the drawings; there are shown in these:

FIG. 1 a detail of a strip-like material portion with cutting patternsfor producing a section element formed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 a C section made in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 3 a detail of a further strip-like material portion with a modifiedcutting pattern;

FIG. 4 the metal element in accordance with FIG. 3 after the expansion;

FIG. 5 a further C section in accordance with the invention formed withthe cutting pattern in accordance with FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 a perspective representation of a cover element;

FIGS. 7 to 9 perspective representations of further cover elements; and

FIGS. 10 to 13 four different states during the manufacture of a furtherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an elongated, flat material portion 1, which can comprise,for example, metal, plastic or other suitable materials formanufacturing a section element in accordance with the invention. Thematerial portion 1 includes an elongated base body 2 which includes abase portion 3 extending in the longitudinal direction as well as twoportions 4 which are laterally adjacent to the base portion 3 and whichcan be bent over by 90° in each case along a dashed line 6 for producinglimbs 5 (FIG. 2) so that an upright section 7 shown in FIG. 2 isproduced. In this respect, outwardly disposed marginal regions 8 of theportions 4 can again be angled by 90° with respect to the limbs 5 toproduce a C-shaped upright section 7 in this manner.

A plurality of slits 9, 10 are formed in the base portion 3 of which theslits 9 extend in the longitudinal direction of the base body 2 and theslits 10 extend perpendicular thereto. The slits 9, 10 can in thisrespect be produced, for example, by rotary stamping, laser cutting oranother suitable cutting or stamping process.

Two respective slits 9 are connected by kink lines 11 which are shown asdashed lines and along which portions 12 of the base body 2 can be bentover for forming openings 13 (FIG. 2). Edges 14 of the openings 13 arerespectively produced by the bent over portions 12 in accordance withFIG. 2 and extend transversely, and in particular perpendicular, to thelongitudinal extent of the base body 2. The bent over portions 12 of thebase body 2 are in this respect bent over so much in accordance withFIG. 2 that they come into areal contract at adjacent portions 15 of thebase body 2 which are shown as hatched areas in FIG. 1. Together withthe adjacent portions 15, the bent over portions 12 thus formdouble-layer regions 16 of the base body 2 which are disposed, viewed ineach case in the longitudinal direction of the base body 2, respectivelydirectly adjoining the openings 13.

As can further be recognized from FIG. 2, connection means 17 areprovided which are, for example, formed as rivets, and with which thebent over portions 12 are fixedly connected to the adjacent portions 15.Relative movements between the bent over portions 12 and the adjacentportions 15 are prevented by the connection means 17, whereby astiffening of the base body 2 is achieved directly in the region of theopenings 13, i.e. in the region weakened in its stiffness by theopenings 13. It can, for example, be achieved by this stiffening effectthat, on the use as an upright section, a bending of the base portion 3on a lateral load of the limbs 5, such as can occur on the screwing inof screws on the attachment of planking, is avoided.

The openings 13 can be used for leading through elements such aselectrical lines 18. Since the edges 14 are each formed by the bent overportions 12, the edges 14 are not made as sharp edges, but rather have acertain rounding. It is thereby avoided that damage takes place to theinsulation of the electrical lines 18 which lie on the edges 14.

FIG. 3 shows a material portion 19 with a base body 35 which has aplurality of slits 20 which extend obliquely and along the longitudinalextent of the material portion 19. Corresponding cutting patterns andmodified cutting patterns are described in WO 2004/055289 A1 whosedisclosure content relating to the different possible cutting patternsand their use for expanding material portions is explicitly included inthe present application.

In addition to the slits forming these known cutting patterns, slits 22are formed in FIG. 3 which adjoin two slits 21 extending obliquely andwhich extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the materialportion 19. A slit 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of thematerial portion 19 adjoins each of the slits 22 and is in turn adjoinedby a further slit 24 extending parallel to the respective slit 22. Theends of the two slits 24 are in turn connected to one another by a slit25 extending in the longitudinal direction.

Starting approximately form the center of the slit 25, a further slit 26in turn extends parallel to the slits 24 and beyond their ends, with inturn two slits 27, 28 adjoining the end of the slit 26 which extend inthe longitudinal direction and which each end approximately at the levelof the slits 24. The ends of the slits 27, 28 are connected to the slits24 in each case via dashed lines 29,30 which represent kink lines 31, 32such as will be set forth in the following.

Portions 33, 34, of the base body 35 which can be bent over along thekink lines 31, 32, as will be explained in more detail in the following,are bounded by the slits 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. Respective slit-shapedopenings 36 are formed in the portions 33, 34 and extend in thelongitudinal direction of the material portion 19.

Tongue-like portions 37, 38 of the base body 35 at whose ends tabs 39,40 are formed are furthermore formed by the slits 22, 23 and 24.

The base body 35 of the material portion 19 is divided into twolongitudinal portions 41, 42 by the slits 20 to 28, said longitudinalportions being able to be drawn apart transversely to the longitudinalextent of the material portion 19 in accordance with FIG. 4 and beingconnected to one another in the drawn apart state via connectionelements 43 formed in one piece with the longitudinal portions 41, 42and respectively bridging the spacing between the longitudinal portions41, 42. It can be recognized from FIG. 4 that an opening 44 which isbounded by edges 45, 46 in the longitudinal direction of the materialportion 19 is created between the longitudinal portions 41, 42 by thedrawing apart and by an additional bending over of the portions 33, 34along the kink lines 29, 30.

A first part 47 of the edges 45, 46 is in this respect in each caseformed by the bent over portions 33, 34, whereas a second part 48 of theedges 45, 46 adjoining it is formed by the non-bent over tongue-likeportions 37, 38. The bent over portions 33, 34 in this respect contact,in a similar manner to that described in FIGS. 1 and 2, adjacentportions 49, 50 of the base body 35 which are in turn shown as hatchedregions in FIG. 3. Further adjacent portions 51, 52 are farmed by theends of the tongue-like portions 37, 38 which, after the bending over ofthe portions 33, 34, as also the adjacent portions 49, 50, formdouble-layer regions 53, 54 of the base body 35 together with the bentover portions 33, 34.

The bent over portions 33, 34 are respectively fixedly connected to theadjacent portions 49 to 52 via connection means 55, 56 within thedouble-layer regions 53, 54. The connection means 55 are in this respectshown by way of example as rivet connections, but can also be formed asother suitable connection means already initially described. Theconnection means 56 are formed by way of example in FIG. 4 by theslit-shaped openings 36 and by the tabs 39, 40 of the tongue-likeportions 37, 38. For this purpose, the tabs 39, 40 are bent over andpushed through the slit-shaped openings 36, as can be recognized fromFIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a C-shaped upright section 57 which is manufactured from amaterial portion 35 in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4. The uprightsection 57 includes a plurality of openings 44 through which respectiveelectrical lines 18 or other supply lines can be led. Since the edges 45of the openings 44 on which the electrical lines 18 lie are only formedas a rounded edge by bending over the portion 34 in their regions 58shown at the right in FIG. 5, there is a risk that the electrical lines18 led through will be damaged without additional protective measures ifthey lie on the other region of the edge 45.

To avoid such damage, in accordance with the representation of the upperopening 44 in FIG. 5, the remaining region of the edge 45 can beprovided with a bend 63, for example with a flange.

Additionally or alternatively, in accordance with the middlerepresentation in FIG. 5, the edge 45 can be provided with a coverelement 59. The cover element 59 can, for example, have the shape of asleeve with a longitudinal slit shown in FIG. 6. The cover element 59can in this case be simply plugged onto the edge 45 and can either beheld by a corresponding clamping effect or can additionally be squeezedor pressed. Since the upper side of the cover element 59 is maderounded, damage to the electrical line 18 is prevented in this manner.

The cover element can have different shapes and can, for example, alsobe made as a hook-shaped cover element 60 in accordance with FIGS. 7 to9. In this respect, an additional fastening of the cover element 60 tothe base body 35 is possible by an extended downwardly projectingportion 61 of the cover element 60, for example by riveting or byanother of the initially described kinds of connection.

As shown in the lower region in FIG. 5, the opening 44 can also becovered over its total periphery by a corresponding cover element 62.The cover element 62 thus forms an eyelet which is closed all round andwhich covers the edge 45 as well as the edges of the opening 44adjoining it in a similar manner to the cover elements 59 and 60respectively.

In contrast to the rectangular shape shown in FIG. 5, the cover elementor the eyelet can also have rounded regions so that ultimately acorrespondingly rounded inner contour of the opening is achieved. Inthis manner, a circular, an elliptical, an oval or also an angular shapewith rounded corners can be achieved, for example. In this respect, theopenings themselves can already have a corresponding rounded shape. Itis, however, also possible that the openings have an angular shape suchas is shown by way of example in FIG. 5 and a rounded inner contour onlyarises by correspondingly formed cover element or eyelets which e.g.have a larger radial thickness at the corners than in the portions lyingbetween the corners.

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the cuttingpattern in accordance with FIG. 3 is modified. For simplification, onlythe differences from the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 3 to 5 willbe described in more detail in the following. The same or similarelements are in this respect provided with the same reference numeralsin FIGS. 10 to 13 as in FIGS. 3 to 5.

In FIG. 10, slits 64 adjoin the slits 21 and respectively extendtransversely to the longitudinal extent of the material portion 19 andrespectively extend only up to the center line 65 of the materialportion 19 or up to the level of the center of the cutting patternsformed by the obliquely extending slits 20, 21 in the upper and lowerregions of the material portion 19. In this respect, one of the slits 64extends starting from a slit 21 ending at one side of the middle line 65and the other slit 64 extends starting from a slit 21 ending on theother side of the center line 65 in the direction toward the center line65.

A respective slit 66 which runs along the center line 65 and which is inturn adjoined by a further slit 67 extending oppositely and parallel tothe respective slit 64 adjoins the slits 64. A respective slit 68extending perpendicular to the respective slit 67 is formed at the endsof the slits 67 and thus extend parallel to one another and parallel tothe longitudinal extent of the material portion 19. The centers of thetwo slits 68 are connected to one another via a slit 69 extendingparallel to the slits 67. The slits 68 further wore each extend beyondthe slits 67 and end in obliquely extending slits 70 which are connectedto one another via kink lines 71 shown in dashed lines. In a similarmanner, the ends of the slits 67 are connected to the slits 68 via kinklines 72 shown in dashed lines. Corresponding to the obliquely extendingslits 70, respective slits 73 which extend obliquely and through whichtriangular holes 74 are created between the slits 68, 68 and 73 areformed between the slits 68 and 69, as can be recognized in FIG. 10.Both the obliquely extending slits 70 and the obliquely extending slits73 are only provided optionally and prevent corners with sharp edgesfrom arising at the resulting section element. These slits can thereforealso generally also be omitted. To avoid corners with sharp edges, theslits 70, 73 could also be replaced by curved slits, for example, sothat ultimately rounded corners are created.

First portions 75 which are adjoined by second portions 76 borderedbetween the kink lines 71 and 72 and the slits 68 and 70 are formedbetween the slits 68 and 69 and the kink lines 72. Furthermore, thirdportions 77 are formed between the slits 66, 67, 68 and 70 and the kinklines 71.

After introduction of the cutting pattern shown in FIG. 10, as alreadydescribed analogously with respect to FIG. 4, the two longitudinalportions 41, 42 of the base body 35 are drawn apart. A spacing therebyarises between the longitudinal portions 41, 42 which is bridged by theconnection elements 43, as is shown in FIG. 11.

The portions 74 are subsequently each bent over along the kink lines 72,whereby an opening 78 shown in FIG. 12 is produced.

In a further step, the portions 75 already bent over once are bent overa second time together with the portions 76 and 77 now to be bent overfor the first time along the kink lines 71 so that the opening 78receives its final size as is shown in FIG. 13. The bent over portions75, 76, 77 form, together with adjacent portions 79, 80 (see FIG. 10) ofthe base body 35, double-layer or triple-layer regions 81, 82, 83,within which the bent over portions 75, 76, 77 are connected to theadjacent portions 79, 80 by connection means 84. The connection means 84can in this respect again be formed in a variety of manners such as wasalready described in detail within the framework of this application.

In this embodiment, not only one part, but two respective parts 85, 86of the edges 87, 88 bounding the opening 78 in the longitudinaldirection of the material portion are formed directly by kink edgescreated along the kink lines 71 on the bending over of the portions 76,77 so that these parts 85, 86 are formed as rounded edges. Additionalcover elements or eyelets for the edges 87, 88 are therefore notabsolutely necessary. Generally, however, the already described coverelements and eyelets can also additionally be used in this embodiment.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

-   1 material portion-   2 base body-   3 base portion-   4 portions-   5 limbs-   6 dashed lines-   7 upright section-   8 marginal regions-   9 slits-   10 slits-   11 kink lines-   12 bent over portions-   13 openings-   14 edges-   15 adjacent portions-   16 double-layer regions-   17 connection means-   18 electrical lines-   19 material portion-   20 slits-   21 slits-   23 slits-   24 slits-   25 slit-   26 slit-   27 slit-   28 slit-   29 dashed line-   30 dashed line-   31 kink line-   32 kink line-   33 bent over portions-   34 bent over portions-   35 base body-   36 slit-shaped opening-   37 tongue-like portion-   38 tongue-like portion-   39 tab-   40 tab-   41 longitudinal portion-   42 longitudinal portion-   43 connection elements-   44 openings-   45 edges-   46 edges-   47 first part of the edge-   48 second part of the edge-   49 adjacent portions-   50 adjacent portions-   51 adjacent portions-   52 adjacent portions-   53 double-layer regions-   54 double-layer regions-   55 connection means-   56 connection means-   57 upright section-   58 region of the edge-   59 cover element-   60 cover element-   61 portion of the cover element-   62 cover element-   63 bend-   64 slits-   65 center line-   66 slits-   67 slits-   68 slits-   69 slit-   70 slits-   71 kink lines-   72 kink lines-   73 slits-   74 holes-   75 portions-   76 portions-   77 portions-   78 opening-   79 adjacent portions-   80 adjacent portions-   81 three-layer regions-   82 three-layer regions-   83 double-layer regions-   84 connection means-   85 part of the edge-   86 part of the edge-   87 edge-   88 edge

1. A section element having an elongated base body (2, 35) having alongitudinal extent and in which at least one opening (13, 44, 78) isformed, wherein the opening (13, 44, 78) includes at least one edge (14,45, 87, 88) which is formed transversely to the longitudinal extent ofthe base body (2, 35) and which is formed at least partly by a bent overportion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77) of the base body (2, 35), wherein thebent over portion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77) forms, together with anadjacent portion (15, 49, 50, 51, 52, 79, 80) of the base body (2, 35)made in one piece with the bent over portion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77),an at least double-layer region (16, 53, 54, 81, 82, 83) of the basebody (2, 35); and wherein the bent-over portion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77)is connected to the adjacent portion (15, 49, 50, 51, 52, 79, 80) withinthe at least double-layer region (16, 53, 54, 81, 82, 83) to increasethe stiffness of the section element transversely to its longitudinalextent.
 2. A section element in accordance with claim 1, wherein theedge (14, 45, 87, 88) extends at least regionally substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the base body (2, 35).
 3. Asection element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bent overportion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77) is connected to the adjacent portion(15, 49, 50, 51, 52, 79, 80) by one of a pressure joining process, aclinching process, a crimping process, a clamping process, a squeezingprocess, a pressing process, a welding process, a screwing process, abonding process and a riveting process.
 4. A section element inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the edge (14) has a total length and isformed substantially over its total length by the bent over portion(12).
 5. A section element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the edgehas first and second parts and the first part (47, 85) of the edge (45,87, 88) is formed by the bent over portion (33, 34, 75, 76, 77).
 6. Asection element in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second part (48)of the edge (45) is formed by a non-bent over portion (37, 38) of thebase body (35) and adjoins the first part (47) of the edge (45).
 7. Asection element in accordance with claim 6, wherein the non-bent overportion (37, 38) forms at least a part of the adjacent portion (51, 52)of the base body.
 8. A section element in accordance with claim 5,wherein the first part (85) of the edge (87, 88) is formed by asingle-layer bent-over portion (75) which is adjoined by at least onesecond part (86) of the edge (87, 88) which is formed by an at leastdouble-layer, bent-over portion (75, 76; 75, 77) of the base body (35).9. A section element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base body(35) includes two longitudinal portions (41, 42) having a mutual spacingwhich extend parallel to one another and are connected to one another ata plurality of connection points via connection elements (43) formed inone piece with the longitudinal portions (41, 42) and respectivelybridging the spacing between the longitudinal portions (41, 42); whereinthe opening (44, 78) extends from one of the longitudinal portions (41)beyond the spacing to the other longitudinal portion (42); and whereinthe bent-over portion (33, 34) forms a region of the edge (45, 87, 88)bridging the spacing between the longitudinal portions (41, 42).
 10. Asection element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the opening (13, 44,78) includes at least two correspondingly formed edges (14, 45, 87, 88),which are in particular disposed opposite one another.
 11. A sectionelement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the section element isformed as one of a C section (7, 57), a U section, an L section, a Tsection, an H section, a hat section and a Z section.
 12. A sectionelement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the edge (45, 87, 88) isengaged over, at least regionally, by a cover element (59, 60, 62) andis in particular encompassed by the cover element (59, 60, 62).
 13. Asection element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the edge (45, 87,88) is provided at least regionally with a bend (63).
 14. A sectionelement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the opening (13, 44, 78) isformed as a leadthrough opening, in particular for at least one supplyline.
 15. A section element in accordance with claim 1, wherein aplurality of openings (13, 44, 78) are provided which are in particulararranged distributed in the longitudinal direction of the base body (2,35).
 16. A method of manufacturing a section element comprising thesteps of: taking an elongate base body (2, 35) having a longitudinalextent; introducing slits (9, 10, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 66, 67, 68, 69,70, 73) into the base body (2, 35) for folding out a portion (12, 33,34, 75, 76, 77) of the base body (2, 35); folding out and bending over aportion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77) of the base body along a kink line (11,31, 32, 71, 72) extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of thebase body (2, 35) for forming an opening (13, 44, 78) in the base body(2, 35), the kink line connecting at least some of the slits (9, 10, 24,25, 26, 27, 28, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73), the folding out and bendingover operation being effected until the bent over portion (12, 33, 34,75, 76, 77) forms, together with an adjacent portion (15, 49, 50, 51,52, 79, 80) of the base body (2, 35) made in one piece with the bentover portion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77), an at least double-layer region(16, 53, 54, 81, 82, 83) of the base body (2, 35); and connecting thebent-over portion (12, 33, 34, 75, 76, 77) to the adjacent portion (15,49, 50, 51, 52, 79, 89) within the at least double-layer region (16, 53,54, 81, 82, 83) to increase the stiffness of the section elementtransversely to its longitudinal extent.
 17. A section element inaccordance with claim 1 adapted for use as one of a structural section,a dry construction section, a façade section, a plaster section, ascreed section and a tile section.
 18. A section element in accordancewith claim 1 and made of one of the following materials: metal andplastic.
 19. A section element in accordance with claim 13, wherein saidbend (63) forms a flange.
 20. A section in accordance with claim 14,wherein said at least one supply line comprises an electrical line.